Money hub
Platform reviews
Each Wallcrest Media review follows a published template so readers can see exactly what was checked — and what was not.
Online broker review template
The full checklist our desk works through before publishing a broker review.
Review checklist
- RegulationAuthorising regulator and licence reference for the entity serving the reader's region.
- Stock commissionHeadline commission for a market order in the provider's home market.
- FX conversion feePercentage charged when converting currency to settle a trade.
- Custody / platform feeAny recurring account or custody charge.
- Markets coveredExchanges and asset classes available to retail accounts.
- Investor compensationApplicable scheme and stated coverage limit.
- Account minimumMinimum deposit required to open and trade.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Crypto exchange review template
Custody, authorisation and withdrawal testing steps for exchange reviews.
Review checklist
- Registration / authorisationRegulatory status in the reader's region, including MiCA authorisation where applicable.
- Trading feesPublished maker and taker fees at the entry tier.
- Custody modelSegregation of client assets and cold storage policy as published.
- Withdrawal termsFiat and crypto withdrawal fees and limits.
- Assets listedNumber of assets available to the reader's region.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Robo-advisor review template
Cost stacking, portfolio inspection and service classification checks.
Review checklist
- RegulationAuthorising regulator and the service type (advice or discretionary management).
- Platform feeAnnual management charge on invested assets.
- Underlying fund costsWeighted ongoing charges of the funds used.
- Minimum investmentMinimum to open a managed portfolio.
- Account typesTax-advantaged and general accounts supported.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Savings account review template
Rate verification, protection tracing and access-term review.
Review checklist
- Published rate (APY / AER)Rate as published by the institution on the verification date.
- Deposit protectionScheme and limit, and the licensed institution holding the deposit.
- Minimum balanceMinimum required to open and to earn the headline rate.
- Access termsNotice period, withdrawal limits and any bonus expiry.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Bank account review template
Licence tracing, deposit-protection checks and total cost of holding.
Review checklist
- Licensed institutionThe bank or licensed institution holding the deposit, and its regulator.
- Deposit protectionApplicable guarantee scheme and the stated coverage limit per depositor.
- Interest rate (APY / AER)Credit interest as published by the institution on the verification date.
- Account feesMonthly charges, overdraft costs, ATM and non-domestic transaction fees.
- EligibilityResidency, age and identity requirements to open the account.
- Access and limitsPayment rails supported, transfer limits and any notice period.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Insurance policy review template
Underwriter identification, wording and exclusion analysis, claims-process review.
Review checklist
- UnderwriterThe insurer carrying the risk and its supervising regulator, which may differ from the brand selling the policy.
- What is coveredInsured perils and benefit limits exactly as set out in the policy wording.
- Key exclusionsMaterial exclusions, waiting periods and pre-existing condition terms.
- Excess / deductibleAmount payable by the policyholder per claim.
- EligibilityAge, residency, health or occupation requirements to be accepted.
- Claims processHow a claim is made and the insurer's published handling timeframes.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Loan review template
APR context, total cost of credit modelling and eligibility verification.
Review checklist
- Lender and regulatorThe authorised lender advancing the credit, and the relevant register entry.
- Representative APRRepresentative APR as published, with the assumed amount, term and the proportion of accepted applicants receiving it.
- Amounts and termsMinimum and maximum advance and available repayment periods.
- FeesArrangement, early settlement, late payment and any broker fees.
- EligibilityCredit, income, residency and age requirements as published.
- Secured or unsecuredWhether the credit is secured against an asset, and the consequences of default.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Investing platform review template
Entity and compensation checks, two-layer cost stacking and exit testing.
Review checklist
- RegulationAuthorising regulator, the contracting entity, and the service type provided.
- Investor compensationApplicable scheme and stated coverage limit for the reader's entity.
- All-in annual costPlatform fee, dealing charges, FX conversion and underlying fund costs combined.
- Account typesTax-advantaged and general accounts supported by region.
- Investment universeInstruments, markets and funds available to retail accounts.
- Transfers in and outCost and process for moving holdings to another provider.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
Financial software review template
Pricing verification, filing support, data handling and export testing.
Review checklist
- VendorThe company operating the software and the jurisdiction it contracts from.
- PricingPublished tier prices, billing period, seat limits and free tier boundaries.
- Core functionsDocumented capability for the task the tool is bought to perform.
- IntegrationsBanking, accounting and tax integrations available by region.
- Data handlingWhether customer data is sold or shared, per the published privacy policy, and where data is stored.
- Compliance and exportFiling or reporting formats supported, and whether data can be exported on exit.
Methodology note
We open and use an account where possible, record every fee against the provider's own published schedule, confirm the regulated entity on the relevant register, and date every data point. We publish no score, rating or verdict number that is not the output of this documented process.
We're finalising our verified platform reviews. Wallcrest Media publishes fees, rates, minimums and terms only after checking them against the provider's own documentation and recording the date we checked. Rather than show unverified figures, we leave this table empty until that work is complete.
Reviews publish once the research desk has completed verification for a provider. The checklists above are live and will not change when a review lands.
See how we review for the verification process.
Read the full review methodology.